First World War Commemoration

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Women’s Patriotic Association Mobilized

Commemorating the role of women and the home front during the First World War

At the same time troops were being raised in Newfoundland to join Britain in the First World War, the women of the country, led by Governor Davidson’s wife, Lady Margaret, considered their own contributions and mobilized into an organization known as the Women’s Patriotic Association (WPA). By December, 1914, there were over 15,000 members of all classes and denominations, island-wide. It has been estimated that by the end of 1916, the WPA was responsible for knitting over 62,000 pairs of grey socks for Newfoundland soldiers.

Honour 100 will be working with Government House and Her Honour, Mrs. Pat Fagan, to commemorate the role of the WPA during the First World War. A series of activities related to the work undertaken by the WPA will be organized across the province.

The Intangible Cultural Heritage division of the Heritage Foundation, in conjunction with community partners and organizations, will also deliver The Grey Socks Project, a project that will not only conduct historical research into the knitting of socks for the First World War, but also create opportunities to teach this traditional skill through an established Grey Sock Knitting League.

If you would like more information or would like to get involved, please contact the Heritage Foundation at ich@heritagefoundation.ca or by calling 1-888-739-1892, extension 2.